Phoenix Baja Electro (Manco Dingo) Restoration

[ResilientMonkey]

Hey folks! Just picked up a Phoenix Baja Electro 286-462E off Craigslist in my area for $200. It's a bit rough, but it does run!

The Tecumseh 6HP (OHH60) sounds great - no knocks, no blue smoke, runs smooth.

Frame has a bit of rust and looks like the RF corner might be tweaked a little - previous owner said his kid hit a tree.

Torque converter is missing the driver pulley and components, the driven pulley is badly mangled.

Here are some pics from the ad and when I picked it up:

 

[ResilientMonkey]

More pics!

Cockpit

Sprocket

Back Tire

Disc Brake

Torque Converter

Engine Intake

Right Side of Engine

Battery Area

Back of Kart

Engine Serial Plate

Kart Serial Plate

 

[2SlickNick]

Looks cool. The driver is on backwards...

 

[KartFab]

The driver is a centrifugal clutch, which cannot be put on backwards. The giant spacer holding the clutch on is what's left of the backwards drive unit.

If you don't get a new torque converter, you will burn up your clutch.

 

[2SlickNick]

The driver is a centrifugal clutch, which cannot be put on backwards. The giant spacer holding the clutch on is what's left of the backwards drive unit.

If you don't get a new torque converter, you will burn up your clutch.

Good catch, I didn't see that/

 

[ResilientMonkey]

Yeah, that centrifugal clutch is going bye-bye! Anyone want to buy it? It's brand new and I don't think it's been used. I'll check its condition.

Here's what I'm planning on doing to the kart (roughly):

• New Driver Pulley
• New Driven Pulley
• New Belt
• 4 New Tires (maybe tubes too)
• Replacement Starter
• Make New Battery Hold Down System
• Replace LF Tie Rod
• New Throttle Cable
• New Choke Cable
• New Ignition Switch
• New Air Cleaner & Housing (or Adapt to Clamp-On Style)
• Clean & Lubricate Everything
• Clean, Strip, De-Rust, and Paint Frame
• Weld Seat Back Support to Frame

I've also noted that some parts can't be found (like the choke cable). So, I'll be doing some hunting to find suitable replacement parts. I'll keep a list too in case someone else is looking for these hard-to-find parts.

 

[2SlickNick]

I might be interested in the clutch. Check it's condition, size ( including bore and chain size), tooth count, and let me know what you want for it.

 

[ResilientMonkey]

Sure thing Nick! I'll try to check it out this weekend!

In the meantime, if anyone has an old Manco go kart, you can still get manuals over at American Sportworks!

 

[ResilientMonkey]

Looks like the frame is skewed a bit. Think it will be okay to bend it back cold or should I take it someplace to have it heated and bent back?

 

[landuse]

I would just bend it cold. Heat can make the metal a bit weaker

 

[ResilientMonkey]

I would just bend it cold. Heat can make the metal a bit weaker

That's what I was thinking too, just wanted to be sure. The hard part is gonna be figuring out how to bend it... maybe strip the frame down, put the LR corner under one of my car tires then a 2x4 under the frame diagonally and stand on the RF corner...

Anyone have any good techniques for this?

Or should I be more scientific and have someone bend it back professionally?

 

[landuse]

That's what I was thinking too, just wanted to be sure. The hard part is gonna be figuring out how to bend it... maybe strip the frame down, put the LR corner under one of my car tires then a 2x4 under the frame diagonally and stand on the RF corner...

Anyone have any good techniques for this?

Or should I be more scientific and have someone bend it back professionally?

You could do this

http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showpost.php?p=280045&postcount=140